Strangulation of the abducens nerve by an arachnoid band within an epidermoid cyst: illustrative case
BACKGROUND Intracranial epidermoid cysts (ECs) are rare benign lesions of ectodermal origin that can be found in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). If large enough, they compress surrounding structures, causing cranial neuropathies, cerebellar dysfunction, and hydrocephalus. OBSERVATIONS In this case...
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Published in | Journal of neurosurgery. Case lessons Vol. 6; no. 14 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
02.10.2023
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | BACKGROUND Intracranial epidermoid cysts (ECs) are rare benign lesions of ectodermal origin that can be found in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). If large enough, they compress surrounding structures, causing cranial neuropathies, cerebellar dysfunction, and hydrocephalus. OBSERVATIONS In this case report, the authors present a patient with headaches and diplopia secondary to a CPA EC. The cyst had wrapped itself around and was strangulating the abducens nerve. This choking of the nerve was believed to have been the cause of the patient’s double vision. The arachnoid band was released with a myringotomy knife. LESSONS Intracranial ECs typically cause symptoms from mass effect on surrounding structures; it is unusual for one to have choked off the nerve in the fashion presented in this case. Knowledge of the potential ways that ECs can affect nervous structures is critical for resecting them without injuring normal tissue. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 INCLUDE WHEN CITING Published October 2, 2023; DOI: 10.3171/CASE23383. Disclosures The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper. |
ISSN: | 2694-1902 2694-1902 |
DOI: | 10.3171/CASE23383 |